VENEZIA 3

Our last day in Venice was pretty laid back as we had already hit up the main sites and things to do in Venice as mentioned here and here. We got up in time for breakfast at our hotel (and unfortunately missed Morgan and Diego - boo!) and then went back to bed to get in a couple more hours of sleep.

Next we took the vaporetto to the San Marco stop to take a picture of the Bridge of Sighs from the outside, buy some art work and souvenirs, and get lunch.

 Bridge of Sighs - ugly advertisements included

 Lunch at the famous Florian Caffe in St. Mark's Square

 Orchestra included :)

Next we went to the church of San Zaccaria (John the Baptist's father) which had tombs in the walls with the bones visible and a crypt in the basement. The crypt (where St. Zaccaria is buried) was actually flooded with a narrow path you had to stay on. We were the only ones down there, and it was literally like an Indiana Jones movie. I was just waiting for something to pop out at us, while the hubby loved it and wouldn't stop laughing at me freaking out. 

Next, we just wandered around Venice, popping in and out of smaller churches and stopping to sit in a little square now and then. It was very romantic and so fun to just take in Venice and not be in such a rush or surrounded by tourists in a crowded line.

 Standing by an old water well

 Santa Maria della Salute (church dedicated to Mary after the plague in the 1600s that killed a third of the city) and gorgeous Venetian street lights

We ate dinner (our last one in Venice) near the Rialto Bridge along a canal and shared a bottle of wine. It was divine. Then, we somehow made room for dessert as we walked over to our gelato place Boutique Del Gelato. Finally, we walked back to St. Mark's square and listened to the dueling orchestras before convincing ourselves it was time to tell Venice goodbye and go to bed so we would make our early train ride the next morning.

We. Loved. Venice.

VENEZIA 2

Day 2 in Venice we started off with a visit to Doge's (Duke's) Palace, senate and council halls, armory, prison, and a walk across the famous Bridge of Sighs. The tour starts out in a large and gorgeous courtyard and slowly takes you through room after room and hall after hall with gorgeous art work and significant meanings and after awhile it all becomes a little muddled together - can we say information overload? That was us almost every day. The boys thought the armory was awesome while my sis and I were a little creeped out by the amount of weapons. I seriously kept picturing Braveheart battle scenes, though the weapons were mostly just for intimidation. The prison was eerie and we even got to go into some of the cells and see a mini museum set up with drawings and carvings that were on the walls. Last was the Bridge of Sighs. It got its name because men who were taken to be executed walked across this bridge, and it is said that as they got their last look outside they would well, sigh.

 

 

 

 walking through the prison

 

 looking out from the Bridge of Sighs

Once we finished the tour it was lunch time, so we found a cute little cafe for some more home made pizza and pasta. 

Next up was a gondola ride. We all took turns sharing the "lovers seat" and soaked in the gorgeous views and colorful buildings as we glided from the main canal down smaller canals and under little bridges.

 Morgan & Diego

 Mat & Lauren

After racing a cruise ship on its way out to sea and taking a little siesta at our hotel, we returned to Venice for our last dinner with Morgan and Diego as they were returning to Rome the following day to wrap up their Italia adventure. We ate in a little square and then went back to our gelato place, Boutique Del Gelato for dessert.

 

 

 

What a great day it was.

VENEZIA

After a day and a half in Rome, we were off to Venice. We took the train from Roma Termini to Santa Lucia, passing fields and fields of sunflowers and cute, little Italian towns along the way.

We stayed on the island Lido which is a quick vaporetto (bus boat) ride from Venice. Lido was a breath of fresh air away from the main tourist spots, and our hotel was awesome. The first night we actually got upgraded to a very sweet suite with a gorgeous view of Venice. If you ever go to Venice, check out Hotel Riviera; it's very reasonable, clean, looks like a fancy 1920s hotel, and has an amazing breakfast buffet - something you rarely find if you are doing Italy on the cheap like we did attempted to do.:)

That evening, my sister and her boyfriend Diego met up with us as they were on the end section of their trip and had just been in Milan. We had our first real sit down mean with wine, beer, pizza, and spaghetti, and we were so excited to see each other and engorge ourselves that we forgot to take a picture.

The next morning, after breakfast of course, we jumped on the vaporetto and hopped off at the first San Marco stop. Walking into St. Mark's Square and seeing St. Mark's Basilica was enthralling, and we quickly got in line to go inside the very old and very famous church. 

 St. Mark's tomb

 Gorgeous mosaics

 St. Mark's Piazza

 Morgan & Diego taking in the sights from the balcony

 the hubby and I in front of the basilica in St. Mark's Square

Next, we found a little place to stop for lunch and refill our water bottles. The water fountain below is something you will find all over Italy, filled with fresh water from the Alps - loved it! Then we were off again to walk around and take in the sights.

 sisterly love in Venice

 looking out from the Rialto Bridge

 the hubby and I on the Rialto Bridge

After wandering around we checked out Frari Church. I can't tell you how gorgeous churches are in Italy - really most of Europe for that matter. Many are centuries old with famous pieces of art everywhere the eye looks.

That evening, we wandered around and got lost, something I actually highly recommend doing if you are ever in Venice - it's an island so you won't go too far. We got to see so much of this one of a kind city and got away from the main touristy spots. We also got to see how deserted it is unfortunately becoming in some areas.  We ate dinner in a quiet, little square before venturing off to find some gelato for dessert. Boutique Del Gelato is the best gelato in Venice. We should know since we ate there three nights in a row and would have continued had we stayed in Venice longer.

Then on the way back to the vaporetto stop to go back to the hotel, we passed by the Rialto Bridge, but this time at night, all lit up and picture worthy again.

 facing down the main canal

 

The first full day in Venice was wonderful, and though we were all exhausted, we were very excited for the next day ahead.